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Dental Laboratory Technicians - 51-9081.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Dental Technician
  • Dental Ceramist
  • Dental Laboratory Technician
  • Waxer
  • Denture Technician
  • Dental Lab Technician
  • Metal Finisher
  • Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Technician
  • Model and Dye Person
  • Model Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
  • Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
  • Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
  • Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
  • Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.
  • Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
  • Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatus.
  • Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.
  • Place tooth models on apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
  • Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
  • Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.
  • Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  • Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.
  • Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
  • Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
  • Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
  • Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.

Detailed Work Activities

  • cast metal objects
  • examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
  • fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
  • interpret prescriptions
  • make independent judgment in assembly procedures
  • mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
  • read specifications
  • solder metal parts or components together
  • test manufactured products or materials
  • understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
  • use hand or power tools
  • use precision measuring tools or equipment
  • use soldering equipment

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Laboratory Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Technician, Advanced (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Technician, Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Laboratory Technician, Maxillofacial (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Contour Wire Specialist, Denture
  • Dental Ceramist
  • Dental-Laboratory Technician
  • Finisher, Denture
  • Orthodontic Technician

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Contour Wire Specialist, Denture
  • Dental Ceramist
  • Dental Ceramist Assistant
  • Dental-Laboratory Technician
  • Dental-Laboratory-Technician Apprentice
  • Denture Waxer
  • Finisher, Denture
  • Orthodontic Band Maker
  • Orthodontic Technician